Rob was standing by the window in Ma Smalley's parlor when Letty and Festus rode up and he watched in silence as the deputy held the rein for the young woman while she got down. "Now I'll take this old horse over to the stable for you, honey, and then I'll be wantin' to see you and your young man over at Delmonico's. I'm fixin' to buy you both the best vittles you can hold and I mean it." He touched his hat and Rob was struck by the sweetness of the man's smile and the adoring look in Letty's eyes as she gazed up at him. Festus went off down the street leading Letty's horse and Rob went out onto the porch as she ran up the steps.
"Rob!" Her expression was a mixture of pleasure and guilt and he smiled wryly as she went on. "Oh, Rob, I'm sorry I was gone so long. I know I should have left a note but Doc told me...something...and I just had to talk to Festus." She took his hand and smiled at him appealingly. "I really am sorry, sweetheart."
Rob shook his head. "It's all right, Letty. The marshal was looking for Festus but he said it wasn't important. I guess that means there hasn't been a bank robbery or a herd of cattle stolen or any gunfights today."
Letty's smile faded. "What are you talking about, Rob?"
"I'm talking about Dodge City being completely different from anything I grew up with. I'm talking about it being the last place I planned to live." Rob took a deep breath. "I'm going to have to ask you for that ring back."
Letty's face turned white but her hands were steady as she drew off the ring and handed it to Rob. He turned it around in his hand, looking at her somberly. "Letty, when I asked you to marry me I didn't know what I was getting into. I thought we'd come here and you'd have a quick visit and we'd get on with our lives and now...now I see this place is your life. You couldn't wait to get back to Dodge and you'll never leave Festus again..."
The young woman's eyes filled with tears. "I love him, Rob. He's the only father I ever knew."
Rob slipped the ring back on her finger. "Then you'll have to ask him to walk you down the aisle." Her cheeks were wet with tears and he wiped them away. "That's if you'll still have me. Will you, Letty?"
His only answer was a fierce hug.